The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) office on Tuesday, targeting key figures including suspended Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar and member Shanta Hosmani. This operation relates to a money laundering investigation into a veterinary officer recruitment scam, which allegedly involved bribes of up to Rs 80 lakh per candidate.
The extensive operation spanned 21 premises across Karnataka and Gujarat, suggesting the scale of the alleged malfeasance. KPSC’s office in Bengaluru, along with Sahukar’s residence and the premises of Edutest Solutions—a company involved in the digital evaluation of examination papers—were prominently featured in the raids.
Officials confirmed that the investigation was triggered by the filing of four FIRs by Bengaluru’s Vidhan Soudha police, which outlined irregularities in the selection process for veterinary officers. The allegations include claims from candidates that middlemen solicited bribes, ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 80 lakh, for successful placements.
Audio recordings of these bribery solicitations reportedly surfaced, strengthening the case against the involved parties. The ED’s probe also scrutinizes serious allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the manipulation of OMR answer sheets, exacerbating concerns over integrity in public service recruitment.
Candidates reportedly communicated instances of coercion, where those selected were pressured into paying exorbitant sums. The wide-ranging nature of the searches indicates the ED is diligently pursuing all possible connections related to this scandal.
Authorities believe that relatives of KPSC officials may also have benefited from these illegal proceedings, illustrating the deep-rooted issues within the commission. This scandal raises significant questions about the recruitment process and its transparency.
As investigations continue, the ED remains committed to unraveling the nexus between KPSC officials and middlemen involved in unethical practices. This situation underscores the pressing need for systemic reforms within recruitment bodies to uphold fairness and accountability.
